Hi everyone I recently purchased a 1970 chevelle.Body work and power train are all done just needs interior now.My question is do I keep the bench seat in the car and have it re-done or do I install buckets and console in it?Some where down the line someone has installed a B&M ratchet shifter on the floor and removed the shift lever off the colum.Is there any way to remove the stump left behind on the colum from the original shifter?I know everyone likes buckets and cosoles but I am kind of partial to the bench set-up.Anyone have any pics of their Chevelle with bench seat interior re-done? Thanks very much just lookin for a little advise before I order my interior package.

I have a 64 chevelle malibu conv. and theres nothing like cruising with a hottie next to your side. So think about it, before you make the decision. ; )

My 71 is a bench seat, on the column and what I like is that everybody has buckets/console or has converted to buckets/console so it is a little more unique.

I was kinda leaning towards the bench as well (little less common).Where can you get the full bench seat covers from?I am looking for the best quality out there.Thanks again for the input.

I wanna know about the cover as well.

Just did a double swap this year...
The bench seat previously in my '70 now resides in the '72 ragtop. The '72 original buckets (no console) are now in the '70.
Like mentioned above, a lot more fun with a bench in a convert, IMO. ;)
Plus, the buckets make it easier to wear a 5 point harness.
Easy to find covers...PUI makes them and damn near everyone sells them. In fact, during the seat swap, I changed the complete interior in the convert from black to white. Sure is cooler..

i converted from bench to buckets and like it. it is what i always wanted which is what it all boils down to. what do you want? I do acknowledge the advantage with the bench in having "her" sitting up against you. It is a sacrifice one must accept with buckets.

JayZ. The bottom line is. What do you like. You can find the covers here. (http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=3964&gift=False&0=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D6%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree %3D%2CChevelle%2FMonte%20Carlo&1=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D389%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tr ee%3D0%2CChevelle%2FEl%20Camino%20Upholstery&mscssid=7AAC8D5517054CD4B4112160B5C4BEE5)

Chalk another one up for "bench"!

Custom covers: (have since added the shift knob!)

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2294000-2294999/2294341_1_full.jpg

hey thanks for all the input everyone.The link that you gave me for seat covers(The Paddock),is this the best place as far as quality goes to get them?

In the 67, I've got a bench seat with B&M shifter on the floor. The shifter is a little "forward" from where a stock floor shifter would be, but still easy enough to reach.

Do you have the B&M ratchett shifter?

Do I? Yes, B&M Megashifter.

Year one has the bench seat covers as well, thats where mine are coming from.

JayZ70,

If you go for the buckets, I would be interested in your bench seat.

I think it depends on what YOU prefer- - -however a performance car to me is buckets and floor shifter.

That’s a good question. First off, if the car is an SS clone, you done taken off some value for it not being a true SS. If it is just a regular Malibu, chances are it is an original bench seat car. I'm pretty sure buckets were an option on the Malibu. If you still have your build sheet, check that. Personally, I like the bench. It is thicker w/ more padding. Ohh & what "miccdave" said ;) haha. It’s YOUR car. Make it the way YOU want to. You don't want to do something, thinking it will be nice or cool when you do it & later on down the road, not like it. Do something that you know for sure is what you want & you will be happy with. Good luck.

Thanks everyone.I think I will go for the bench.So I may have buckets and a console for sale.Only problem is that I am in Canada!Shipping could be expensive!!lol.Anyway what are you suppose to do with the shifter stump left on the colume?Do you just grind it off and smooth it over before you paint it?I would really rather not replace the whole colume.

You don't really want to be hacking on that. Even though you don't want to replace it, you could always replace it & keep the old one incase you want to put it back on or sell it w/ the car. You can probally find a junk yard one & repaint it & whatever needs to be done.

Do you happen to know what year of GM cars have the same colum?How big of a pain in the ass is it to do?

I'm don't really know...I'm sure all 70-72 Chevelle/GTO/Cutlass/GS etc. were all the same. As far as replacing it, I have no experience in that.

Ya know, I replaced the speedometer bezel on my 67 (it said PRNDL) with one from a floor shift or manual car and just left the column as is (it's blank). I never get a comment about the "nub" where the lever used to be. I guess that I hold out that some day I'll find a floor shift column and put that in. I kind of agree, don't hack that up in case you want to go back.

Can you tell me where you got your dash. I see the gauges are autometer but am curious about the dash.

Most of the time bench seats are in better condition frame wise then most buckets for some reason...I agree about the babe beside a guy on a bench...it's even better to get her in the back seat with you...;)

OH to be 16 again...probably wouldn't get so lucky the second time around...HAHAHAHA

Also on the steering column issue....I'm not for sure but I think there are power steering columns and manual steering columns...and the early Velle columns are different then say a 70 model column...one is welded I think and the later ones do something different....Maybe someone far more knowledgeable then me could explain all of this confusion I just caused...

I like the bench also, even though the buckets may add value and appeal for future resale, I like to take my wif and you granddaughter to the shows all in the front seat, but I equate the ride with that of driving an old broken down couch with the support of about a thousand dollars worth of chocolate pudding, The buckets would offer more support, especiall rounding the corners at speed. The bench gives you the full meaning of Sit Down, Shut Up and Hold On. For what it is all worth, consider the originality piece to pie. No matter what you are going to have a blast with that car!
Enjoy
Brian 69 SS396

Funny you should ask... I just swapped out my old shift-on-the-column steering collar for a smooth one (I have a console now). We got a used collar from Sundell and repainted it. It looks great. It's a bit of a pain to get to it though. It'll probably take you about 3 or so hours to do it (if you like to clean up old dust/crust as you reveal it). Mine took two days, because once I got to the part of the column with the keyhole, I wanted to paint that too (hence, the drying time). Know this: once you remove the steering wheel and nut, there's a snap ring that holds the turn signal indicator on. Also, be ready to reach all the way to the base of the column to unplug from the wiring harness. Take lots of digital pictures (or, bread crumbs as I call them). Give Sundell a call. Those guys are super nice, honest and very knowledgable. They're in Shelby, NC. (704)434-6759 Good luck!